Chapter 6: Chapter Six

Tonight snow fell again, the snowflakes soft as powdered sugar, piled on the windowsill, reflecting the warm yellow candlelight, giving it a somewhat cozy feel. Originally a pot of precious camellia was planted in the courtyard; when it bloomed, its petals overlapped like tiles, layered and extremely beautiful.

Because it was deep winter in the twelfth lunar month, the steward had it moved back to the warm room; Lu Bao'er didn't see it. Thus, her courtyard only had some tender bamboo and trees.

This expanse of green displeased Xie Junling somewhat; he thought that next spring he would have people plant some luxurious flowers and grasses for Lu Bao'er to enjoy.

Having just punished a maidservant, Xie Junling feared his thunderous methods might have startled Lu Bao'er; he was not the type skilled at coaxing, and after thinking it over, he bluntly said, "Are you living comfortably?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Bao'er smiled brightly: "With my husband here, I think it's quite good."

This was Lu Bao'er's first time living in such a large residence; to say she wasn't afraid would be false.

Unfamiliar with Jingdu's etiquette and fearing embarrassment, she always felt someone in the manor was watching her every move. Yet Lu Bao'er's way of handling things was also crude and simple; she understood that Xie Junling was the master of this manor, she was the master's wife, and thus she stood only beneath him.

What etiquette could be discussed with her? Which servant would dare talk about rules with the master? So as long as she relied on Xie Junling, acting high-handed in her own manor posed no problem.

Though this tactic was domineering, it was practical. Xie Junling also sensed the situation; he felt helpless about her rustic methods, yet was immensely relieved, for at least having him behind her, Lu Bao'er could wield his authority like a fox borrowing a tiger's might, easily handling any petty dirty work.

As the night deepened, Lu Bao'er felt a bit sleepy; she wanted to take off her outer garment and go to bed, but Xie Junling showed no sign of leaving. When they were at the old country house, Xie Junling would always leave after tending the lamp, letting her rest alone inside. Back then the old house was small, with only two or three spare rooms, so Xie Junling could only sleep next door. How is it that in this grand official residence, they still can't spare a spare room for him?

Lu Bao'er was puzzled and asked, "Husband, aren't you going to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow?"

Granny had told her that Xie Junling now held an official post, reporting to the Hanlin Academy each day at the mao hour; they had to set out at the fifth watch. Fortunately, Xie Junling's residence was an imperial gift, close to the palace; otherwise they'd have to rise before dawn to travel, exhausting everyone.

Lu Bao'er still had a hint of virtuous wife's nature, so she urged Xie Junling gently: "Husband, you should go to sleep now?"

Xie Junling had been reading in the main hall for a while, but in fact he couldn't concentrate on the words. Here everything smelled of young ladies' powder, and Lu Bao'er loved strong fragrances, making the whole main hall a fragrant bouquet that distracted the mind.

He stayed here unwilling to leave, merely delaying time; he also didn't know what to say, he slightly furrowed his brow and said, "I, your husband, will stay here tonight."

Hearing this, Lu Bao'er's face flushed, her whole body feeling as if boiled by fire. She opened her cherry lips and stammered, "Husband… will you sleep here?"

Seeing her bashful expression, Xie Junling felt amused and gave an unnatural nod.

Lu Bao'er bit her lower lip, her misty eyes gazing at Xie Junling, their depths holding a playful emotion that made him feel somewhat unsettled.

Lu Bao'er whispered, "Husband, I… I have not yet come of age; generally it's not proper to share a bed."

Xie Junling startled, grasped her meaning, and immediately chuckled. He found such Lu Bao'er amusing; for some reason a teasing thought arose, and he asked her, "It's fine, I don't mind."

"But… I do mind," Lu Bao'er said, almost biting her tongue. She wondered why she hadn't realized before that Xie Junling was lustful; had she known, she would have stuffed a few people into the room, and then she wouldn't have suffered.

Lu Bao'er put on a bitter-gourd-like face, which annoyed Xie Junling a little. Was he not handsome enough? Or what? Countless women wanted to get into his bed; was she really justified in despising him?

Xie Junling snorted coldly and said, "Do you really dislike me that much?"

"No! How could I dislike my husband!" Lu Bao'er protested anxiously.

"Then why do you look so unwilling to share a bed with me?"

Lu Bao'er was about to break into a sweat, she wrung her fingers; for the first time she felt the underground heating fire in the room was too strong, making her chest feel tight and breath short. She furtively glanced at Xie Junling, who at that moment was raising his slender jade-like fingers, calmly lifting the tea bowl lid to sip tea. He was always so refined and steady, as if only she felt anxious and restless.

Lu Bao'er felt a bit deflated and muttered, "I just haven't prepared myself to share a room..."

Xie Junling scoffed: "With just a couple ounces of flesh on you, you still hope to share a room with me? For me to sleep in the same house as you is merely to give you a show of support. You know, you've just entered the manor; if I were to distance myself from you, those idle people would come at you with sticks and stones, wouldn't you find that annoying? It's perfect—I can consolidate your position as Principal Wife and give you more prestige."

Really? It turned out she had misunderstood Xie Junling! Lu Bao'er breathed a sigh of relief, yet couldn't help feeling a bit displeased. She furtively glanced at her own chest; her figure hadn't filled out, indeed somewhat flat like a pancake, and she let out a heavy sigh.

Not to mention men not liking her; even she herself somewhat despised her skinny little frame.

Lu Bao'er stopped being pretentious; she took off her outer garment and had the waiting granny and Liu Xiang outside remove her makeup and comb her hair. By the time she had finished and got onto the bed, Xie Junling was already sitting beside the bed in his middle garments.

Lu Bao'er felt the bed, thinking of the granny's instructions, and intended to sleep on the outer side. That way, if Xie Junling wanted to drink some tea or water, she could easily attend to him, or call a maid to bring in the lamp.

But when Xie Junling saw this, he waved his hand and told her to sleep on the inner side.

Lu Bao'er called out doubtfully, "Husband?"

Xie Junling had not failed to hear the granny's admonitions here; he also felt a bit displeased. He lowered his voice to Lu Bao'er: "Outside one can follow propriety, but at home there's no need to be too particular. For instance, sleeping tonight—there's no need to ask others; do whatever feels comfortable. Just sleep on the inner side, so you won't kick off the blankets and roll out of bed in the middle of the night, forcing me to reach out and pull you back."

Although the first half of Xie Junling's words was rather pleasant, as soon as he got to the second half Lu Bao'er became dissatisfied. In her heart she gave him a mental barrage of punches and kicks, while she retorted, "You're the one who would roll out of bed!"

Xie Junling chuckled lightly and said, "Excellent, this full-blooded spirit is proper for my wife; there's no need to pretend to be gentle and demure—quite unlike you."

"……" Lu Bao'er's breath caught, she almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Ah, how infuriating—why would she miss such a husband? Perhaps sleeping apart would be better.